Archbishop Julio Murray urged his province to “embrace the project” of the Kingdom of God as he was installed at the sixth primate of the Anglican Church of Central America (IARCA) on Saturday. He was elected by the provincial synod in April. Hundreds of people included guests from around the world packed into St Luke’s Cathedral in Panama City for a vibrant, colourful service which reflected elements from the five nations which make up the province – Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua . One moment which drew gasps from the congregation was the gospel reading: it was preceded by the appearance of a group of dancers each wearing a hat topped with a flaming candle.

In a stirring, passionate address, Archbishop Julio touched on the themes of justice, hope, intentional discipleship, empowering women and young people and celebrating cultural diversity. On mission, he said it was time for the Church to stop navel-gazing.

“It is time to take the mission of the Church outward,” he said. “Embrace the project of the Kingdom because it is bigger than the Church . . . it is greater than the Anglican Communion.” And he insisted everyone had to be involved – the task could not be left to the primate, or bishops or clergy.

“I believe in team work . . . we need lay people too to accomplish this. We are in this together. And don’t say ‘Oh, I am retired’ . . . there are no retirees in the mission of God.”

Archbishop Julio also called for the Church to take more of a stand on issues of corruption and violence against women.

“In the past as a province we held back . . . but the time of accommodating is over. We have to change our attitude – to ‘change our chip’”.

He said that bishops had been taking action on issues such as people trafficking but there was more to be done across many areas.

The investiture and installation service was presided over by the outgoing primate, the Bishop of Nicaragua, Sturdie Downs. The liturgy included the renewal of vows of consecration and the delivery of symbols which reflected the diversity of the Province. Archbishop Julio was presented with a Bible in the different languages of the region; hymnals in Spanish and English; water; bread and wine; and a plumb line as a symbol of prophecy.

The final gift was a plate embossed with the Compass Rose symbol of the worldwide Anglican Communion. This was presented by the Church of England’s Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, who was representing the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

In his message, read by Bishop Christopher, Archbishop Justin congratulated the new primate on his installation and promised to pray for him as he began a new phase in his ministry.

“I am confident that you will guide IARCA in its ministry . . . in building discipleship, transforming communities and tackling poverty,” he wrote. “I pray that IARCA will go from strength to strength under your leadership and the challenges that the province faces will be overcome.”

There were also messages of support delivered on behalf of the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the US-based Episcopal Church and from the Primate of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz. In his letter, Dr Idowu-Fearon described the installation as a “wonderful moment in the history of the province and in the life of the Anglican Communion”.

The renewal of vows was another theme of Archbishop Julio’s address. He said his installation was a moment for the province to reflect on its identity – and that this identity should be one of a church which was committed to social justice.

“To be IARCA is to enjoy the diversity and cultural integration of the five countries that make up IARCA,” he said. “It means that we have a faith that doesn’t quarrel with culture but we are able to evangelise in the midst of our diversity.”

After the service, in an interview with ACNS, Archbishop Julio spoke of his excitement.

“Today is a wonderful day,” he said. “It is a day of tremendous celebration and thanksgiving, not only for the province but also for the Anglican Communion. There is a great sense of excitement.

“It is a little scary because the expectations are so high . . . but I know the work is not going to be done only by the primate . . . it’s going to be a team effort.

“I am so happy,” he added. “I am grateful to God. I am looking forward to working together as we collaborate in the construction of the Kingdom. This is Kingdom business – and we are in it for the long haul.”